Gulf side of St. Andrews Park, see the rocks and water in the
background, that's the pass where the bay meets the gulf. To the right, a
honeymooning couple enjoy the clear gulf waters.
Life is good here, although one
could complain about the low wages, and roads that are in need of repair,
but when you live in Paradise you have to tolerate a few things.
To be able to go sit at the waters edge and listen to the wave motion of
the water, or to go out on the bay and see dolphin playing, or the pelicans
flying low, skimming the waters surface. I recently had an experience
that was unforgettable, and of course it was the first time I did NOT take
my camera. My husband and I took the boat to west bay to fish.
A quiet Sunday afternoon, once on the water, the air was still, so still
it felt a little eerie. As we slowly ran across the bay, the water was
as smooth as a satin sheet. Not a ripple in sight.
When suddenly six fins appeared
in front of our boat, then bodies bowed up and our of the water, then snouts,
spurting water two feet into the air. We stopped the boat, our mouths wide
open in amazement at what we were seeing. It was six of the most
beautiful dolphin playing, we sat quietly as they circled the boat, the
water was so clear that we could see them as they swam on the bottom then
rose to the top spouting water into the air. As they came along side
the boat for a second time, the leader rolled over onto his side, and blinked
his eye at me. As if to say "We see you, we know you are watching."
It was breath-taking to watch as they continued to play, we stayed still
for awhile longer when we noticed three different pairs of fins coming
from different directions, it was six more dolphin. This was unbelievable,
watching twelve dolphin play and swim, as if they owned the bay.
And on this afternoon they did!!! We watched for awhile, and
slowly left the area because we truly were the intruders on this afternoon.
Next time I will have my camera with me!
..........
Bay Point complex from St. Andrews camping area.
Papa sitting below a pile of sand at the St.
Andrews State Park, and Alex taking a nap whilst waiting for the fish to bite.
Note: The pile of sand at the park is due
to dredging of the pass in recent months, a good place to go look
for a good assortment of shells.
This photo was taken as the sun
was setting, we were
going out on the Lady Anderson
evening dinner cruise around the bay.
.
As we were traveling back across the bay
to Tyndall Yacht Club, we saw this beautiful wind surfer.
Birds relaxing on Tyndall beach, and baby
sea oats along the beach.
(Illegal to pick - they help hold our sand
together.)
......
Pelicans looking for supper, very elegant
birds. And a view from an inlet at Tyndall yacht club looking out into
the bay as the sun sets.
This
is a dolphin that I met 'nose to nose' A morning photo of Panama City Marina area
through a window
at Gulf World.
He swam up to
say hello.
My dear Brother-in-law Darren - I have to give him
credit he took these two photos.
....
This is another friend - Look he is smiling, wonder what's on his mind?
It is so relaxing, to walk along
the edge of the gulf waters, feeling the sand between your toes, and the
water splashing up around your ankles. I also enjoy shell collecting,
and make various creations from them. When I get a chance, I love
to just go and sit on the beach, listen to the waves, the breeze, clears one's
mind, it is very refreshing.
These
dolphin put on a very entertaining show at Gulf World, and you can have your
photo taken with the beautiful blue bird too. A great place to take the whole
family, if you visit our area.
Besides the dolphin and of course
all kinds of fish life, we have Turtles, Stingray, and yes Shark. I can say from personal experience,
when walking in the waters in the bay or gulf, it is best to slide your
feet along the sand. One day I didn't and under the sand lay a stingray,
and of course I stepped on him, and that was a very painful experience
that sent me to the emergency room. A
nice long soaking of the ankle in hot water and iodine soon took the pain
away though.
These characters love the
Friendly Fella - they run and jump
picnic scraps...
through our yard, teasing our dobie.
Interesting to watch, their playful
habits.
Pelican taking flight over the jetties at the
February afternoon, a quick storm
state park on a winters day.
coming shortly.
A calm February day on the gulf.
The guy jumping from the bungee jump is my husband! Our son's Canadian buddies
said they'd pay the $25.00 if he'd jump. So of course, he never passes up
a free ride :-)
A quiet inlet along the bay.
Darren & Michelle & John standing on the
beautiful white sand in front of the jetties.
RJ standing in the sea oats at Tyndall beach
(It is illegal to pick these plants) they
help hold our
beach sand together.
I love to watch the Pelicans skim across the
water, with their wide wing span, or dive with
their long beak to catch a fish. Very
unique birds.
I just got a new scanner, what a difference! guess I'll
be re-doing the whole site once I get it relocated...
As their sign says "Last Local Beach Club"
I take all our visitors here, you can relax,
sit
and have lunch, and watch the beautiful gulf.
Or go to the club at night and dance to the
music.
Y'all
come back now, yer hear
Take
a trip to Wakulla Springs
Visit
Fishing along Florida's Gulf Coast
note: All photographs were taken
by and are the property of RJ. (except where noted)
The background photo was taken
underwater by our son.
Any music or graphics I have borrowed
from 'free' sites. If anyone objects, please contact RJ. and credit will
be given where due, or item removed.
"When one door closes, another opens;
but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not
see the ones which open for us." - Alexander Graham Bell.